Karuwainene
The Marshallese word for welcome is Karuwainene.
Karuwainene is a greeting used when someone arrives at a location.
Meaning: greeting given upon someone's arrival (intj)
Did you know?
- While Karuwainene is used for welcoming, the most common greeting Iakwe is derived from a root meaning 'love'. Every time you welcome a friend casually, you are using a word based on 'love'.
- In Marshallese culture, a warm welcome is often accompanied by the offering of food or drink, as hospitality is a core social value. Simply saying Karuwainene without offering something to eat may feel incomplete to a host.
- Marshallese is a Micronesian language, meaning it belongs to a family that is distinct from the more widely known Polynesian languages like Maori or Samoan.
Examples in context
- Karuwainene!Welcome!
- Karuwainene ijjām.Welcome to all of you.
- Karuwainene, bōk ej.Welcome, please come in.
Example conversation
Rose greets Samuel at her front door.
- RoseKaruwainene, Samuel!Welcome, Samuel!
- SamuelYō, Rose. Yokwe.Hi, Rose. Hello.
- RoseKōmmiļoļ, kōjā lūmā.Greetings, come inside.
- SamuelKajidok, yōkwa.Thank you, very much.
